By Kediesha Perry/Observer writer—
Gregory Isaacs
AMERICAN group The Manhattans, alongside Gerald Alston, will be the headliners at next year’s staging of Red Rose For Gregory: The Mother’s Day Edition.
June Isaacs, widow of the late singer, says the date was temporarily switched from Valentine’s Day due to a high demand.
“Red Rose For Gregory since its inception has been held on Valentine’s Day but this year we had multiple requests from loyal patrons to do a tribute to mothers that would deliver the same stellar performers with elegance and class. Additionally, Gregory Isaacs did a song called ‘Mother’s Day’ paying tribute to all mothers. I believe in celebrating love and paying tribute in various ways,” she told the Jamaica Observer.
The event will return after a three-year break due to the novel coronavirus pandemic at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.
The Manhattans are best known for hits like Kiss and Say Goodbye, and Shining Star. Sixteen of their songs have reached the Billboard Hot 100, including two top 10s. They also charted eight US R&B top 20 albums, three of which were RIAA certified gold.
According to Isaacs, her team has prided themselves in offering quality entertainment over the years.
“The event through four stagings has successfully hosted artistes such as international recording group Atlantic Starr, international recording artiste Kelly Price, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, and Deneice Williams; also, local performers like Sanchez, Christopher Martin, Romain Virgo, Cat Coore of Third World, Freddie McGregor, PaKaGe, Boris Gardner, and Robert Minott among others,” she said.
She further said the initiative will be spearheaded every year to contribute to her husband’s legacy and to donate to charity.
“Red Rose for Gregory aims to celebrate the musical legacy of the legendary Gregory Isaacs, OD, as well as to become an integral tourism attraction on the entertainment tourism calendar, engaging visitors from across the world, and those in Jamaica, many of whom are avid Gregory Isaacs fans. Further, the premise of the show is to maintain The Gregory Isaacs Foundation which include beneficiaries such as St Barnabas Early Childhood, and Patricia House,” Isaacs said.
Born in Denham Town, west Kingston, on July 15, 1950, Isaacs made his recording debut in 1968 as Winston Sinclair with the single Another Heartache. He teamed up with two other vocalists, Penroe and Bramwell, for the short-lived trio The Concords who recorded for producers Rupie Edwards and Prince Buster.
In 1973 he and another young singer, Errol Dunkley, started the African Museum label and soon had a massive hit with My Only Lover.
His songs, including Love Is Overdue, Rumours and Hot Stepper, continue to dominate the airwaves.
In 2016 he was posthumously conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) by the Jamaican Government for his contribution to the country’s music.
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